Nikkie Shefler

On this shortest day, the shortest day in winter,

the winter wind, with howls and shoves,

paints the world to match the image

of the winter we’re all thinking of,

dropping clouds upon the ground

to match the sky above.

A red bird lands upon the edge

of a seed-filled dish.

He dips his beak and perches there,

as the dimming sun glimmers, resplendent,

off the vanes of his bright feathers.

He flies into the blue